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Raises questions to clarifying or ambiguous situations


  • Willingness for complexity
  • Enjoys reasoning
  • Interested in problem solving
  • Formulates high-level questions
  • Initiates discussion through questions and curiousity
  • Is observant and looks for opportunites to discuss unique problems with peers
  • Pleasure in intellectual activity
  • Good communicator, verbalizes fully in groups ||
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Expresses unusual or uncommon responses



  • Seeks multiple solutions to a single problem/situation
  • Enjoys puzzles with a twist
  • Thinks flexibly & fluently
  • Recognizes relationships between prior knowledge and new complex ideas
  • Transfers thinking between various topics
  • Originality
  • Continues to develop ability to find multiple solutions to a single problem/task
  • Determine attributes and similarities between unique ideas ||
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Employs various critical thinking strategies



  • Inferences without prompting
  • Analyzes information/ideas to make logical predictions
  • Inductive/deductive reasoning
  • Asks open-ended questions
  • Classifies and categorizes information to find similarities and differences
  • Imposes order on a field by identifying and grouping common themes/patterns
  • Recognizes assumptions
  • Transfer meaning to other concepts ||
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Cognitive Development

Communicates ideas in a new or creative way

  • Advanced vocabulary demonstrating complexity of thought
  • Demonstrates broad knowledge base
  • Continued development in creative thinking skills through responses and final products
  • Enjoys reasoning and problem solving
  • Flexiblility of thinking is evident in both verbal responses and written work
  • Demonstrates an appreciation for new ways of doing things
  • Unique ideas and approaches to different situations and tasks
Elaborates on basic ideas

  • Demonstrates a broad knowledge base
  • Enjoys reasoning and logical thinking
  • Is very observant and appreciates opportunities to discuss unique problems with intellectual peers
  • Perceptive
  • Originality- unique ideas (unique forms, ideas, approaches to different situations and tasks)
  • Elaboration- determine ways an idea or product can be refined, embellished, or enriched; numerous, relative ideas/expands ideas; adds detail
  • Goes beyond the usual to give responses that are inventive in nature
  • Applies critical thinking to go beyond the available information to identify what may be reasonable true.
  • Inquisitive mind
  • Seeks out situations that require him/her to think
Employs various creative thinking strategies

  • Demonstrates flexibility with ideas
  • Views ideas from a different perspective; comfortable with ambiguity
  • Willing to consider alternative points of view; able to evaluate consequences of different actions
  • Changes course without much struggle.
  • Demonstrates fluency of ideas through his/her ability to generate many ideas
  • Demonstrates originality through his/her generation of unique ideas either in unique forms, ideas, and/or approaches to different situations and tasks
  • Demonstrates the ability to elaborate upon ideas in order to find new ways that an idea or product can be refined, embellished, or enriched
  • Describe possible perspectives to a given situation
  • Goes beyond the usual responses to share ideas that are inventive in nature
  • Enjoys puzzles with a twist
  • Thrives when challenged
  • Appreciates/ does not appreciate opportunities to implement constructive suggestions for change; easily disillusioned by social injustices
Formulates novel combinations among information and ideas
Actively pursues new knowledge






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Discovers problems in a variety of situations



  • Makes logical predictions
  • Perceptive thinking in anticipating future problems
  • Abstract thinker
  • Risk-taking
  • Problem recognition and reconstruction of ideas
  • Seeing implications of decisions
  • Ability to reconstruct a problem
  • Concrete Thinker



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Gathers and analyzes data to define a problem

  • Classify and categorize information
  • Logical thinker
  • Order, sequesnce and prioritize information
  • Classify and categorize information
  • Transfer meaning to other concepts
  • Problem solving ability
  • Find unique solutions to problems
  • Judge/evaluate consequesnces, relevance, or acceptability of given information
  • Inquisitve mind
  • Evaluation skills





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Generates numerous solutions to a problem
  • Shows a willingness for intellectual complexity
  • Shows a carefulness to his/her work and takes pride in quality work
  • Is capable of seeing different perspectives to the same problem
  • Shows an enjoyment of thinking and a desire to challenge ones self
  • Seeks out situations which require him/her to think
  • Is persistent in seeking solutions to problems, sticks with it; task commitment, willingness to try alternative methods
  • Applies problem solving stepos when appropriate to discover alternative methods to solving a problem.

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Evaluates potential solutions against a defined criteria


  • Differentiates between relevant and irrelevant information
  • Develops criteria for judging solutions
  • Prioritizes potential solutions to uncover the most interesting/most challenging one
  • Understands the need to modify the problem solving process as necessary to solve the problem.
  • Shows a reflective thinking style
  • Applies prior knowledge and experience in the course of learning






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Develops a plan of action and implements the chosen solution






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Contributes to group problem-solving




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Is responsible for his/her own learning; is self directed in work, study, and in depth research

  • Motivated, independently works sets appropriate goals completes goals recognizes personal strengths/weaknesses
  • Takes advantage of learning opportunities
  • Demonstrates confidence in self
  • Intuitively seeks answers without intermediate steps
  • Persistent in seeking solutions and trying alternative strategies
  • Responsible for high-level achievement
  • Uses time well



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Raises questions, checks sources, and tests the relevance/worth of ideas suggested
  • Self-initiated
  • Undertands when they need to ask clarifying questions
  • Judge/evaluate relevance and acceptability of given information
  • Use inductive reasoning to reach conclusions
  • Uses deductive reasoning to reach conclusions
  • Compares and contrasts information
  • Eager to find answers
  • Enjoyment of thinking- seeks out situations that require him/her to think



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Uses a variety of skills for research
  • Develops skills for using various resources
  • Gathers and interprets information appropriately
  • Plans and carries out original investigations
  • Analyzes and summarizes information gathered
  • Evaluates and suggests ways to improve investigation
  • Is self-directed in work and eager to take on new intellectual challenges.
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Possesses an awareness of and sensitivity to various problems and issues.




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Shares ideas and investigations in product form.
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  • Cope with ambiguity, frustration and non-productive behavior in a group setting analyzes and makes use of different roles in a group
  • Expresses tolerance for others by actively disagreeing with ideas rather than people
  • Accepts the role of leader and directs the group towards a defined goal
  • Recognizes and accepts the importance of playing a non-leadership role when warranted
  • Interpersonal skills ||
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  • Goal oriented
  • Takes advantage of learning opportunities
  • Uses resources and ideas which challenge ability
  • Uses time well
  • Recognizes flawed reasoning
  • Strives to produce a quality product ||
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  • Good listener
  • Verbalizes fully in groups
  • Takes advantage of constructive criticism in order to improve self
  • Accepts the role of leader and directs a group toward a defined role
  • Recognizes and accepts the importance of playing a non-leadership role when warranted ||
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  • Demonstrates listening skills while working with peer groups
  • Expresses tolerance for others by actively disagreeing with ideas rather than people.
  • Understands how to participate without monopolizing
  • Is an important group member ||

Problem Solving

Independent Research

Intellectually explores various ideas and topics

  • Shows intellectual curiosity
  • Takes advantage of learning experiences
  • Shows engagement in classroom tasks and desire to pursue additional learning outside of class.
  • Initiates learning
  • Pleasure in intellectual activity
  • Likes finding new ways to do something
  • Expanding knowledge base
  • Enjoyment of thinking
  • Maintains a questioning attitude

Personal Skills

===Constructively Contributes to Group Activities===
===Acts as a Leader or Follower When Appropriate===

===Completes Tasks===
===Is Willing to Take Direction===
===Respects others' points of view/ideas===
===Respects adults and fellow students===

===Shows enthusiasm===

===Comes to class/group prepared===


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